Trying To Make Sense Of The Senseless
The world continues to struggle to come to terms with what happened late Sunday evening in Las Vegas — which now bears the unspeakable reputation as the largest single mass-casualty shooting in U.S. history. By now we know the sickening details — the heavily armed 64-year-old gunman (not going to mention his name) opened fire from a suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, spraying a fusillade of automatic gunfire across Las Vegas Blvd. and into the crowd of an estimated 22,000 concertgoers attending the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival at the Las Vegas Village. The gunman later took his own life before S.W.A.T. officers stormed his room. At press time, the death toll had climbed to 59 people, and some 527 others were injured, many of them seriously.
Jason Aldean, who was on stage at the time of the shooting, later issued a statement via Instagram that read, “Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don’t know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night. #heartbroken #stopthehate.”
• This tragedy also hit dangerously close to home for iHeartMedia personality Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, whose daughter, Taylor Goode works at iHeartMedia Country KWNR (95.5 The Bull)/Las Vegas. Hamilton tells RAMP that his daughter and Bull APD/afternoon personality Wayne “Big D” Danielson had just finished doing interviews backstage at the show and had left the venue less than 20 minutes before the shooting started. Yesterday morning, Big D and Taylor shared their experiences during live cut-ins on The Bobby Bones Show. Bones (pictured here, left, with co-host Amy Brown) spent the morning talking to eyewitnesses and artists who were at the show, including Jake Owens. Bones tweeted, “Really freaking awful about what happened in Vegas last night. We played that stage the night before and it was the most fun crowd we’ve ever seen. And to see a gathering of enjoyment like that ruined by an attack makes me mad and extremely sad for all the people hurt/killed.” This morning, under the header LOVE > HATE, Bones presents live performances from Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris, Dan & Shay, Chris Janson and LOCASH.
• Cumulus and Westwood One began almost immediate coverage overnight with Red Eye Radio reporting on the shootings. The Ty, Kelly & Chuck morning show picked up coverage at 5am with reports on the scene from eyewitnesses, artists and managers. Cumulus has been reporting on the tragedy via its Country stations and carried Westwood One News updates on the Cumulus’ News-Talk platform. NASH Nights Live with Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith carried special programming last night, remembering those who died and praying for those who are still fighting for their lives.
